Los Angeles, Oct. 27 (Reuters): Neither Julia Roberts nor George Clooney has opened a film so far this year, but both stars made the cut in nominations announced yesterday for the annual fan-driven People's Choice Awards.

Roberts and Clooney, who will reunite later this year in Ocean's Twelve, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2001 hit remake of caper Ocean's Eleven, were nominated as favourite female movie star and favourite male star, respectively.

Roberts, whose last film, Mona Lisa Smile, debuted in December 2003 and quickly faded, will face off against fellow nominees Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Charlize Theron and Reese Witherspoon. Roberts was voted favourite film actor in the previous year's competition.

Clooney, last seen a year ago opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in Intolerable Cruelty, is up against Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.

Unlike the Oscars and other entertainment awards, the People's Choice Awards are determined by the public.

Julia in hospital

Roberts, who is due to deliver twins in January, has been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital after experiencing early contractions, People magazine reported on Tuesday. Roberts' condition was not serious, People said, adding doctors plan to keep her under observation.